Tuesday 11th June 2013
The weather has been sunny and warm up to today so we took advantage of the warm spell and had 9 days in our motorhome in 2 locations here up in the north of England. Talking to visitors from Holland and Switzerland on holiday in our country they said that that we were so lucky to be surrounded with such beautiful unspoilt and varied countryside and we need never go abroad. Of coarse the country is at its best in late May and early June and it was an absolute delight to be out exploring the quiet lanes and little known paths in pursuit of our favourite pass time .... yes no surprise, "its find the orchids time again".
Firstly 4 days around Arnside and Silverdale around Morecambe Bay an area of woods and limestone pastures, first we revisited the Lotts which is known for its early season orchids.
Silverdale Lotts.... a managed area of old pastures
Just a few of the many Early Purple Orchids
Also the rarer Green-Winded Orchid
The woodlands were full of Ramsons (wild garlic)
Early Purple Orchids growing amongst the Dog Mercury
Another days walk around the popular area of Arnside Knott finding many more Early Purple Orchids
The Morcambe Bay Walk 9 an eight miles crossing across the dangerous sands at low tide.... led by Cedric Robinson the Queen's Guide. click on photo to enlarge.
Woodlands along the coastal path full of Lily of theValley
Checking the beautiful scent of this delicate waxy flower
The large expanse of Morcambe Bay
The Limestone pavements in the area are famous for their wild flowers
Bird's-eye Primrose
False Oxslip
After many years of careful seed sowing and propagation at Kew Gardens (from the last 2 plants in the wild in England), the Ladies Slipper has been re-introduced back into some of its original habitats.
The wardens must be congratulated on the natural planting
Moving on to Wensleydale in Yorkshire for more walks in this lovely dale.
Setting off from Hawes one of the highest market towns in England
Dry stone walls and Buttercup meadows
Mill Gill Force near Askrigg
Through the Buttercup meadows to Askrigg
There are still a few meadows untouched by modern farming
More Green-Winged Orchids
Twayblade
The find of the day.....The Burnt-tip Orchid
These 3 tiny orchids are to the left of Audrey's hand
Just a few more pictures of our wanderings through the Wensleydale area
Through the Meadow to Burtersett
The top of Wether Fell
Mossy Saxifrage on Wether fell
Aysgarth Falls
Gateway to Bishopdale
Through the meadows to West Burton
I liked the reflections under the bridge in West Burton
Changing the camera settings.... a different result
Finally the old stone gateway into Waldendale, a dale that we've never walked in before
The weather has been sunny and warm up to today so we took advantage of the warm spell and had 9 days in our motorhome in 2 locations here up in the north of England. Talking to visitors from Holland and Switzerland on holiday in our country they said that that we were so lucky to be surrounded with such beautiful unspoilt and varied countryside and we need never go abroad. Of coarse the country is at its best in late May and early June and it was an absolute delight to be out exploring the quiet lanes and little known paths in pursuit of our favourite pass time .... yes no surprise, "its find the orchids time again".
Firstly 4 days around Arnside and Silverdale around Morecambe Bay an area of woods and limestone pastures, first we revisited the Lotts which is known for its early season orchids.
Another days walk around the popular area of Arnside Knott finding many more Early Purple Orchids
The Morcambe Bay Walk 9 an eight miles crossing across the dangerous sands at low tide.... led by Cedric Robinson the Queen's Guide. click on photo to enlarge.
The Limestone pavements in the area are famous for their wild flowers
After many years of careful seed sowing and propagation at Kew Gardens (from the last 2 plants in the wild in England), the Ladies Slipper has been re-introduced back into some of its original habitats.
Moving on to Wensleydale in Yorkshire for more walks in this lovely dale.
There are still a few meadows untouched by modern farming
The find of the day.....The Burnt-tip Orchid
Just a few more pictures of our wanderings through the Wensleydale area
The weather has been kind and we were probably on the other side of Morcambe Bay at Knott End. When we get the weather there is no better place :)
ReplyDeleteWow... more beautiful countryside and wonderful blooms... what a great effect is created by all that wild garlic and the ladyslippers are wonderful... very enjoyable post! Larry
ReplyDeleteJust got in to wild flowers this year and your photos have been a great help with I.D some of the plants I have found.Know the area well in the last set of photos as I come from Yorkshire,Langcliffe is were I grew up.
ReplyDelete